The United Nations IPCC = "Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change" made by scientists from all over the world has published a report on greenhouse gas reduction measures for the first time in eight years.
In order to curb global warming to 1.5 degrees Celsius, global emissions will begin to decline in 2025, and then they will need to be significantly reduced, calling for action.
The IPCC has been conducting discussions online based on the latest research results since the 21st of last month, and has compiled a report on climate change countermeasures such as greenhouse gas reduction for the first time in eight years, and published it on the 5th of Japan time.
According to the report, global greenhouse gas emissions have continued to increase in recent years, and the 2030 reduction targets currently announced by each country indicate that rising average temperatures will have a serious impact on climate change. It is highly likely that it will exceed "1.5 degrees".
On top of that, in order to keep it at "1.5 degrees", the global greenhouse gas emissions should be reduced by 2025 at the latest, and then in 2030, about 43% compared to 2019, and 84% in 2050. It is said that it is necessary to significantly reduce it to the extent.
The report also analyzes emission reductions by sector, with the energy sector, which accounts for one-third of emissions, requiring a major shift.
While it is necessary to significantly reduce the total consumption of fossil fuels such as coal and petroleum and switch to renewable energy such as wind power and solar power, it is difficult to cover all with renewable energy, and utilization of hydrogen. It is necessary to combine various options such as the introduction of systems that use energy efficiently.
The IPCC says that active climate change measures contribute to a sustainable society, but are accompanied by major changes in the economic structure, so it is important to involve many people in decision-making and build social trust. I am calling for it.
The IPCC plans to publish the entire report, which summarizes the contents of this report, in February last August, and in September, the United Nations Climate Change Countermeasures to be held in Egypt in November. It seems to influence the discussion of the conference "COP27".
Reduction measures in each sector such as energy, construction and transportation
The report includes sector-specific reduction measures, stating that global temperature rises cannot be suppressed to 1.5 degrees Celsius unless greenhouse gas emissions are rapidly and significantly reduced in all sectors.
Reductions in the industrial sector, which accounts for about a quarter of global emissions, require efficient use of energy and materials and the adoption of new production processes.
In cement manufacturing, which is one of the industries, it is difficult to make a significant reduction until new technology development progresses, and it is mentioned that carbon dioxide is recovered and stored underground.
In the building sector, including emissions from the manufacture of building materials, it accounts for about 20% of the world's total emissions, but by implementing policies to improve energy efficiency and introduce renewable energy, emissions from buildings The amount can be approached to virtually zero by 2050.
In the transportation sector, the combination of electric vehicles and clean electricity has the potential to be the greatest reduction measure, and the combination of telework and car sharing can also be expected to reduce the amount.
And many measures can be introduced at a cost of less than 12,000 yen in Japanese yen, which is 100 dollars per ton of carbon dioxide reduction, and by taking such measures, the world's emissions will be halved in 2030. I can do it.
What is the 2007 Nobel Peace Prize-winning "IPCC" report?
The United Nations IPCC = "Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change" was established in 1988 by WMO = World Meteorological Organization and UNEP = United Nations Environment Program.
Researchers recommended by the governments of each country cooperate to discuss the current state and future outlook of climate change, its impact on nature and society, and measures to reduce greenhouse gas emissions based on the latest research results. And the entire report are published every few years.
The first evaluation report was published in 1990 and became one of the important grounds for the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change adopted in 1992.
The Fifth Assessment Report, published from 2013 to the following year, includes efforts to keep the global average temperature rise below 2 degrees Celsius compared to before the Industrial Revolution and to keep it at 1.5 degrees Celsius. It led to the adoption of the "Agreement".
Currently, the 6th evaluation report is being compiled in sequence.
In August of last year, a part about the current state and future outlook of climate change was announced, in which the frequency and intensity of "extreme phenomena" such as heat waves and heavy rains will increase if global warming due to human activities progresses. We are calling for the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions.
Next, the part of the impact on nature and society announced in February was to warn that the adverse effects of climate change are spreading over a wide area such as food supply and health.
This time around, we have published a part on measures to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and in September, we plan to publish an overall report summarizing these individual details.
The IPCC received the Nobel Peace Prize in 2007 for its activities, including clarifying that human activity is related to climate change.
“The 5th largest carbon dioxide emission in the world” Japan's climate change measures
Japan's greenhouse gas emissions were 1,149 million tons in terms of carbon dioxide in the preliminary figures for FY2020.
Looking at the largest amount of carbon dioxide emissions among greenhouse gases, according to the Ministry of the Environment, it is estimated to be the fifth largest by country in the world after China, the United States, India and Russia.
Under these circumstances, the government declared in October that it would realize "carbon neutral" that would reduce greenhouse gas emissions to virtually zero by 2050, and then in April of last year, the emissions in 2030 would be "". We have also set an interim goal of "46% reduction compared to fiscal 2013."
Then, we formulated a series of plans called "Green Growth Strategy" and "Regional Decarbonization Roadmap" that included the contents to be worked on to achieve them.
The "Green Growth Strategy" regards climate change countermeasures as an opportunity for growth and encourages investment. Next-generation renewable energy such as offshore wind power generation and geothermal power generation, and burning are the 14 priority fields that are expected to grow in the future. However, in addition to hydrogen and ammonia that do not emit carbon dioxide, we also mention the electrification of automobiles and carbon recycling that recovers carbon dioxide and uses it as fuel.
Specific targets have been set for priority areas, with the aim of expanding offshore wind power from 30 million to 45 million kW by 2040, and hydrogen will increase its usage in 2050 by 10 times to 20 million. It is said that it will be raised to about tons.
As for automobiles, we are promoting the spread of so-called electric vehicles such as electric vehicles, fuel cell vehicles, and hybrid vehicles, and are planning to make all new passenger vehicles electric vehicles by 2035.
On the other hand, the "Regional Decarbonization Roadmap" aims to select more than 100 regions nationwide that will realize "decarbonization" in advance by 2030, and gradually expand them nationwide toward 2050. ..
In the preceding area, the open call for participants was held for the first time from January, and 79 applications were received from local governments nationwide.
The first region is expected to be selected as early as this month, and the budget will be preferentially allocated.
Japanese report author "" Decarbonization "cannot be realized without the understanding of society"
Regarding the report, one of the authors, Toshihiko Masui, Director of the Social Systems Area of the National Institute for Environmental Studies, said, "With the current reduction measures, a temperature rise of" 1.5 degrees "is inevitable, and we will take all possible measures in all fields. While issuing a strong message that we must, it is also characterized by clearly stating that climate change measures contribute to a sustainable society and enrich our lives. "
On top of that, "without the understanding of society," decarbonization "cannot be realized, and if the technology for emission reduction is not used well in society, it will not be fully effective and will not spread. The role of software is also important. "
Environment Minister Yamaguchi "It's not easy, but we have to make the utmost efforts to achieve it."
Environment Minister Yamaguchi said, "The harsh outlook has been shown and we are calling on the whole world to further accelerate climate change countermeasures. To tackle the climate change problem, a major change to a new economic and social system is needed. It is not easy to significantly reduce overall greenhouse gas emissions, but we must do our utmost to achieve it. "
Town development for new energy utilization Residents' interest is also important
It is also important to raise the interest of residents in order to promote community development that utilizes new energy to replace fossil fuels.
In the area adjacent to the port in Shimizu Ward, Shizuoka City, plans are underway to develop a next-generation energy base by utilizing the site of an oil refinery that was in operation in the Showa era, approximately 200,000 square meters.
About seven years ago, a plan to build a natural gas-fired power plant was raised in this area, but the construction was canceled due to the opposition of residents who were concerned about the deterioration of the environment.
The new plan will be carried out in collaboration with a major oil retailer who owns the site and prefectures and cities. It is also expected to supply.
It also uses this electricity to produce hydrogen, which does not emit carbon dioxide when burned, and supplies it to fuel cell vehicles.
The council, which is made up of prefectures, cities, and companies, conducted a questionnaire from the end of last year to the beginning of the year about the concept of town development including this district, and received responses from about 6,000 people in the area.
When asked in a descriptive manner about the issues required of the region, more than half of the respondents mentioned the need for facilities to attract customers to revitalize the economy and measures against earthquakes and tsunamis, while the next generation. The introduction of advanced technologies such as the utilization of energy was small.
Also, in the free description of the town development concept, in addition to economic revitalization and disaster prevention, the majority of the opinions were about the construction of stadiums due to the popularity of soccer in the region.
When NHK interviewed the locals, the residents said, "Energy is not so familiar to me and I don't know what kind of effect it will have on me." Or "It is important for many tourists to come and pay for it." Was asked.
Hidetoshi Maeda, a professor at Shibaura Institute of Technology specializing in urban engineering and chairman of the council, said, "Energy is like blood and air, and if it goes well, it doesn't matter, but it is decarbonized and environmentally friendly. I want people to feel closer by introducing energy. With the support of the citizens, I want to aim for a town where energy coexists with local culture and activities. "
Demonstration project with an eye on the introduction of "hydrogen"
Hydrogen, which Japan has set as one of the priority fields for "decarbonization", is being demonstrated in various places with an eye on its introduction in society.
In Tomiya City, Miyagi Prefecture, a demonstration project has been underway for five years to utilize hydrogen produced from electricity derived from renewable energy at city facilities.
In this business, the solar panels on the roof of the distribution center of the consumer cooperative generate electricity, and the electricity is used to electrolyze water to produce hydrogen.
Hydrogen is filled in a cartridge of about 30 cm square and sent to school childcare facilities, supermarkets, general households, etc.
Fuel cells are installed in each location, and electricity is generated by reacting the hydrogen brought in with oxygen in the air.
In after-school care, fuel cells are operated for three hours in the evening when children gather, and about half of the electricity used in the facility during that time, such as lighting and heating and cooling, is supplied.
Kenichiro Sugawara of the Planning and Policy Division of Tomiya City said, "Because there are many residential areas and power generation by renewable energy is limited, hydrogen that is easy to store and move energy is indispensable for" decarbonization "of the area." I am.
On the other hand, issues are becoming clear in the demonstration project.
The hydrogen-filled cartridge is made of a special alloy and weighs 18 kg and needs to be replaced four at a time.
The co-op, which is responsible for delivery, initially planned to carry hydrogen along with the delivery of groceries, but due to weight and capacity issues, it became necessary to prepare a separate vehicle and driver.
In addition, the fuel cell installed in after-school care is as high as about 7 million yen, and the government bears the cost, but how do you bear the cost when increasing such equipment for business expansion and practical application? It is also an issue to do.
Mr. Sugawara said, "There were many issues that I learned for the first time after conducting the demonstration project, but I feel that the use of hydrogen is extremely effective toward the realization of" decarbonization "in 2050. I would like to continue the demonstration that leads to. "